Funds raised from the six-day Indian festival this year will be spent on aid projects for poor Indians in the Kingdom and back home, said Indian Consul General Faiz Ahmed Kidwai.

In a speech delivered on Wednesday night, at the grand opening of the annual event, Kidwai also urged Indian expatriates to contribute if they are able. He said that many Indians need help, including those languishing in prison for failing to pay off fines that they incurred. He said the families of these prisoners also need assistance.

There was thunderous applause from the audience when Kidwai outlined the initiative to secure the release of Indians who had completed their sentences.

Kidwai also thanked the Saudi Arabian authorities for helping Indian expatriates in the Kingdom. 

He added that he was proud to be the “custodian of the huge Indian expatriate community living in the western region of the Kingdom.”

Mohammed Ahmed Tayyeb, Director General of the Saudi Arabian Foreign Affairs Ministry in Makkah Region, thanked hard working expatriate Indians for helping to build and develop the Kingdom.

The Indian festival showcases the culture of different regions of India and was well received by audiences. The qawalis of Fareed Hassan Niazi, who came from India to perform exclusively with his team, lasted until late into the night.

The India Forum, and Indian expatriate organization, working under the auspices of the Indian Consulate in Jeddah, organized the event. 

The Kerala showcase is scheduled for Friday and Andhra Pradesh on Jan. 23. Popular Indian idol, Ankita Mishra, is scheduled to perform at the closing ceremony on Jan. 25.

The festival takes place every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday over two consecutive weeks.